Metal soap-coated particle article made with the same process for production lubricating coating agent and lubricating film

ABSTRACT

Particles each of which consists of an inorganic polyvalent metal compound as a nucleus and a coating of a metallic soap of the polyvalent metal coating the nucleus (coated particles); products and preparation processes using the particles; a lubricating coating forming agent wherein particles each of which consists of a polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid as a nucleus and a coating of a metallic soap of the polyvalent metal coating the surface of the nucleus are suspended in an aqueous solution of a water soluble inorganic salt and/or a water soluble organic acid salt; and a lubricating coating. The coated particles are novel particles which can be used as an ingredient of coating-type lubricating coating; are excellent in seizure resistance; can inhibit wear of tools at the time of plastic working since the friction coefficient of the surface of the particles is low; and are slow to cause pollution of working oils. Lubricating coating obtained by applying the lubricating coating forming agent onto the surface of a metallic material gives excellent cold plastic working properties, namely lubricity and seizure resistance to the metallic material.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention is roughly classified into two relevant inventions. Oneis an invention relating to particles of an inorganic polyvalent metalcompound coated with a metallic soap as a fundamental invention, andtheir general utilization forms; and the other is an invention relatingto a plastic working lubricant containing such coated particles as amore practical application form of such coated particles.

The invention as a fundamental invention can be used in a wide range,and relates to metallic soap-coated particles excellent in seizureresistance and capable of preventing tools from wear and working oilfrom pollution at the time of plastic working; powder or suspension onsuch particles; a process for preparing the powder or suspension; andlubricating coating.

The invention as a more practical applied invention relates to alubricating coating forming agent, and, in more detail, relates to alubricating coating forming agent giving excellent workability, namelyexcellent lubricity and excellent seizure resistance onto the surfacesof various metallic materials such as, for example, iron materials,steel materials, stainless steel materials, aluminum materials,magnesium materials, tin materials and titanium materials which need tobe subjected to cold plastic working typically including forging, wiredrawing, tube reducing and sheet forming; and lubricating coating.

BACKGROUND ART

Background Art Particularly about the Present Invention as a FundamentalInvention

Metallic soap widely used as various lubricants, etc. plays an importantrole in the field of cold plastic working typically including forging,wire drawing, tube drawing of pipes, sheet forming, etc. of metallicmaterials. In this field, metallic soap has been used from long ago as alubricating ingredient to lower the friction coefficient betweenmaterials to be wrought and tools at the time of plastic working andthereby reduce working energy drastically, and has greatly contributedto development of the cold plastic working field. For example, as adirect use example of metallic soap in the plastic working field, therecan be mentioned its utilization in auxiliary lubricants used at wiredrawing working. This is such a technology that when a carrier layersuch as borax coating, slaked lime coating or zinc phosphate coating isprovided on the surface of a wire rod and the rod is subjected to wiredrawing working, immediately before the material to be wrought passesthrough the die, an auxiliary lubricant containing a large amount of ametallic soap is made to adhere onto the material to give or supplementlubricity; and is a case where powder of the metallic soap is used in alarge amount. In another case, a coating-type lubricant in whichlubricating particles containing a metallic soap as a main ingredientare suspended in water or an oil, etc. are used in many combinationswith the above-mentioned carrier layer; and so on, and thus there aremany technologies applying metallic soap in the cold plastic workingfield.

However, there are also problems in use of metallic soap. As one ofthem, there can be mentioned a case of steel wire for header working inwhich wire a carrier layer is provided by lime-type coating formingtreatment, an auxiliary lubricant containing a metallic soap as a mainingredient is made to adhere thereon, and lubricating coating iscompleted by carrying out skin pass wire drawing working. The resultinglubricating coating-coated steel wire is subjected to header working ina working oil, but at that time, the metallic soap in the lubricatingcoating scraps peeling off swells or is finely suspended in the workingoil to pollute the working oil extremely. This phenomenon is thought tooccur because adhesion between the carrier layer and the lubricatingcoating layer is low.

On the other hand, as a lubricating coating forming technology, which issomewhat different from the above technology directly using metallicsoap, but is very interesting in using metallic soap and very fit forcold plastic working, “phosphating treatment plus soap treatment” hasgenerally been uses from long ago in this field. This technology is suchthat a phosphate salt coating layer is previously provided onto thesurface of a material to be wrought, the coating layer firmly adheringto the surface as a reactive chemical conversion coating treatmentlayer, and then an aqueous solution of a water soluble fatty acid saltis contacted with the coating layer at an elevated temperature to formmetallic soap coating containing a reactive soap layer. Since thephosphate salt coating surface is firmly coated with the metallic soaplayer, this technology has such advantages in comparison with theabove-mentioned “carrier layer plus auxiliary lubricant” that thetechnology is fit for comparatively strong working since workingfollowing properties of the lubricating ingredient are good, and such aphenomenon is hard to cause that the soap and the metallic soap areisolated from the lubricating coating scraps peeling off at the time ofworking and pollute the working oil extremely; and so on.

However, since both of the phosphating treatment and the coatingtreatment with the metallic soap onto the resulting layer are coatingforming methods utilizing chemical reaction, control of the chemicalreactions and administration activity at the cold plastic working siteare complicated, and when waste water treatment and plant and equipmentinvestment are included, vast costs are needed. Furthermore, since theperformance of coating formed greatly varies depending on kinds ofsteels, surface states of steel, etc., labor for maintaining stablequality is very large, and, furthermore, mass formation of industrialwastes is coming to be a great anxiety on environmental load. Thus, inrecent years, development of a convenient and ecological coating formingprocess has positively been attempted.

Lubricating coating comes in between the material to be wrought and thetool at the time of plastic working to avoid direct metal contactbetween the material to be wrought and the tool, and such lubricatingcoating may be liquid or solid. However practically, liquid lubricantsrepresented by oil-type lubricants, etc. are often unfit for severeplastic working. The reason is that the lubricating coating preventingthe material to be wrought and the tool from their direct contactundergoes shear to cause lubricating coating cutting, and therebyseizure occurs. Thus, even when a liquid lubricant is used or alubricating ingredient such as metallic soap which melts and isliquidized with working heat is used, it is general to use it incombination with carrier coating such as phosphate salt coating or boraxcoating, and thereby, the lubricating ingredient together with thecarrier layer comes in between the surface of the material to be wroughtand the tool at the time of working, and reduces working force andprevents seizure. But strictly speaking, since, even in this situation,lubrication coating cutting occurs between the carrier layer surface andthe tool surface, there sometimes arises a situation that the toolsurface undergoes wear little by little by the carrier layer having ahigh friction coefficient and the life of the tool gets short, whichgets to be a problem.

Furthermore, recently, there is a tendency that by shortening the stepof cold plastic working for the purpose of heightening productiveefficiency, the degree of one working is heightened, and, even in“phosphating treatment plus soap treatment”, it gets difficult to followsurface area enlargement with sufficient lubricating layer held.

As a technology for forming cold plastic working lubricating coating forsolving these problems, a step shortening-type lubricating coatingforming agent, etc. are being developed. This technology is one capableof giving high cold plastic working performance by simple steps only tomake a liquid coating forming agent adhere onto the surface of amaterial to be wrought and dry the agent. As such an invention, JP2000-63880 A discloses a lubricant composition for plastic working ofmetallic material which comprises (A) a synthetic resin, (B) a watersoluble inorganic salt and water, (B)/(A) (ratio by weight in terms ofsolid matter) being 0.25/1 to 9/1, the synthetic resin dissolving orbeing dispersed. It is also disclosed that it is preferred to furtherincorporate as a lubricant ingredient at least one selected from thegroup consisting of a metallic soap, a wax, polytetrafluoroethylene andan oil in an amount of 1 to 20% by mass, and as the water solubleinorganic salt is preferred at least one selected from the groupconsisting of a sulfate, a borate, molybdate, a vanadate and atungstate. Namely, this invention is characterized in that a lubricatingingredient such as a metallic soap or a wax is contained, in a dispersedstate, in coating ingredients capable of becoming a carrier, and is anexcellent technology capable of obtaining lubricating coating havinghigh working performance simply and with labor saving only by applyingthe composition onto the surface of the material to be wrought. Althoughmetallic soap is often used as the lubricating ingredient, it ismentioned that, since the metallic soap is immobilized in the coating bythe inorganic salt and/or the resin ingredient, adhesion of the metallicsoap is not influenced by adhesion between layers, as is the case in“carrier layer plus auxiliary lubricant layer”, the possibility ofpeeling of the metallic soap alone at the time of working is generallysmall. Furthermore, in comparison with the coating of “phosphate saltplus soap treatment” which is lubricating coating consisting of acomparatively large size of crystals of the order of width 200 μm,coating obtained from the above invention has an advantage that it ispossible to adjust the surface area of the lubricant at will, e.g. bymaking lubricant ingredients fine particles, and thus lubricatingcoating exerting excellent performance even in strong working whereenlargement of surface area is large is being developed, and thetechnology including the above invention is a prospective technologyalso in the aspect of lubricating performance. However, even in the caseof the lubricating coating obtained by the above technology, there is atendency that the carrier layer of a high friction coefficient exposedowing to the structure of the coating repeats contact with the tool togive the tool life bad influence.

Under such a present state of things, lubricating coating required inthe cold plastic working field is considered to be lubricating coatingwhich has such fine particle structure that the lubricant layer coatsthe carrier layer and strongly adheres to the carrier layer, and can beobtained by coating-type treatment without needing complicated treatingsteps. By this, it gets possible to realize ecological treatment ofshortened steps, reduction of loads on the tool (i.e., reduction of toolwear), reduction of pollution of the working oil by lubricating coatingscraps, etc. Development of such an ideal lubricant is a great problemand is urgently needed.

Background Art Particularly about the Present Invention as a MorePractical Applied Invention

In plastic working of metallic material, lubricating coating is formedon the surface of the material to be wrought, for preventing seizure andgalling formed by direct metal contact between the material to bewrought and the tool. As lubricating coating formed on the surface ofthe material to be wrought, there are two types, one being lubricatingcoating formed by making a lubricant physically adhere to the surface ofthe material to be wrought, the other being lubricating coating formedby forming a chemical conversion coating on the surface of the materialto be wrought through chemical reaction and then applying a lubricant.

Lubricants made to adhere onto the surface of the material to be wroughtare inferior, in adhesion, to lubricants used after formation of achemical conversion coating on the material to be wrought, and thusgenerally used in light working. In use of a chemical conversioncoating, a chemical conversion coating such as a phosphate coating or anoxalate coating playing a role as a carrier is formed on the material tobe wrought, and then a lubricant having good slipping properties isapplied thereon. This type of coating has two layer structure consistingof the conversion coating as a carrier coating and the lubricant coatingand exerts very high seizure resistance, and thus has very widely beenused in the field of plastic working such as wire drawing, tube reducingand forging. Particularly in a field of severe working among the plasticworking field, a method of using phosphate coating or oxalate coating asundercoat and applying a lubricant thereon is being frequently adopted.

Methods for forming a chemical conversion coating onto a material to bewrought and applying a lubricant thereon are classified broadly into twomethods. One is a method of making a lubricant physically adhere ontothe chemical conversion coating, and the other is a method of reacting alubricant with the surface of the chemical conversion coating to formlubricating coating.

As the lubricant of the former made to physically adhere, there can bementioned one obtained by adding an extreme pressure additive intomineral oil, vegetable oil or synthetic oil as a base oil; one obtainedby dissolving or dispersing a solid lubricant represented by graphite ormolybdenum disulfide together with a binder ingredient in water; etc.Such a lubricant is applied onto the surface of a material to be wroughtwhich was subjected in advance to chemical conversion coating treatment,and, in the application, the oil lubricant is used as such, and theaqueous lubricant is used, followed by a drying step. These lubricantshave advantages that there is no restriction about their applicationmethod and convenient spray coating or immersion coating can be used;and complicated liquid control as in chemical conversion coatingtreatment is almost unnecessary; etc., but these lubricants are oftenused in comparatively light working because of low lubricity.

On the other hand, as the lubricant of the latter to react it with thechemical conversion coating, there can generally be mentioned reactivesoap. This method is a technology which has generally been used fromlong ago as “phosphating treatment plus soap treatment”, and accordingto the method, a chemical conversion coating is formed on the surface ofmaterial to be wrought, and then an aqueous solution of a water solublefatty acid salt is contacted with the coating at elevated temperature toform, on the coating, metallic soap coating containing the reactivesoap. The composite coating formed according to this method can beadapted to from light working to comparatively strong working, and isused in a very wide range of working including forging and tubereducing.

However, as to reactive-type chemical conversion coating treatment andreactive soap treatment, there are two problems in a broadclassification. One is that treatment steps for chemical conversioncoating treatment and soap treatment are complicated; that very widespace is needed as the treatment space; and that control of treatingsteps is very complicated, for example that control of the concentrationand ingredients of the treating liquid, and temperature control forcontrolling the reaction are needed because these treatments utilizechemical reactions. The other is that the amount of industrial wastesand waste water is very large, for example that since insoluble saltsgenerally called sludge are formed in the treating liquid as by-productsof the reactions, it is necessary to discharge them periodically fromthe treating liquid, and that since when the treating liquid is usedsuccessively, the ingredient balance of the treating liquid is spoiled,disposal and renewal of the treating liquid, etc. get necessary.

Detailed explanation is made bellow on the former. When “phosphatetreatment plus soap treatment” is taken up as an example, a material tobe wrought is first subjected to the cleaning step and the descalingstep, and then to phosphating treatment and soap treatment. Since singleor multi-stage water washing steps are necessary among these steps,space of about 7 to 12 vessels gets necessary as treating vessel space.Furthermore, control of the concentration and temperature of thetreating liquid is necessary on each of the treating steps, and, in thephosphating step, free acid degree, total acid degree and acceleratorconcentration in the treating liquid are measured by manual operationaccording to a neutralization titration method and the like, andinsufficient ingredients are supplemented appropriately. Furthermore, asto temperature, there are plural steps where the treatment is made at 60to 80° C. and the heating is carried out with steam piping or the like,and thus a large amount of energy is used.

Detailed explanation is made bellow on the latter. When steel or ironmaterial to be wrought is subjected to phosphating treatment, thesurface of the material is etched in the phosphating solution and ironions are eluted into the solution. Transfer of electrons occurs by thisreaction and phosphate salt coating is formed, but for acceleration ofthe reaction, it is needed to deposit and precipitate the iron ions asan insoluble salt. This insoluble salt is generally called sludge. Thesludge needs to be periodically discharged from the system. Furthermore,water washings after the pretreatments prior to chemical conversioncoating treatment and after the chemical conversion coating treatmentare contaminated with the treating liquids of the previous steps,respectively. Since the respective washings contain various elements,appropriate waste water treatments get necessary. Usually, thesewashings as waste water are discharged after subjection toneutralization treatment, coagulating sedimentation treatment, etc., butcoagulating sedimentation sludge containing phosphorus, etc. is dumpedas industrial wastes as is the case with the above-mentioned sludge.

In recent years, reduction of industrial wastes has been aimed as alarge problem for the protection of earthly environment. Among suchactivities, chemical conversion coating treatment forming a lot ofindustrial wastes as mentioned above is taken up as one of largeproblems, and an alternative lubricant and/or an alternative treatingsystem each forming less industrial wastes have/has strongly beendesired.

For solving these problems, “a lubricating composition wherein a watersoluble macromolecule or an aqueous emulsion thereof is used as a basematerial and a solid lubricant and a chemical conversion coating formingagent are compounded” etc., are disclosed in JP 52-20967 A, but coatingequal to coating from chemical conversion coating treatment is notobtained. Also as a means for solving the above problems, there can, forexample, be mentioned the invention of “an aqueous lubricant for coldplastic working of metallic material” disclosed in JP 10-8085 A andfiled by the present applicant. The invention relates to an aqueouslubricant for cold forging working of metal which comprises (A) a watersoluble inorganic salt, (B) a solid lubricant, (C) a at least one oilingredient selected from mineral oil, vegetable or animal oil andsynthetic oil, (D) a surfactant and (E) water, and wherein the solidlubricant and the oil are uniformly dispersed and emulsified.

The invention relates to an aqueous non-reactive-type lubricant, and,therein, it is aimed to shorten the three steps of phosphatingtreatment-water washing-reactive-type soap treatment to one step oflubrication treatment alone. Namely, the aqueous non-reactive-typelubricant is contacted with a cleaned material to be wrought byimmersion or the like to coat the surface of the material with thelubricant, and then dried (evaporation of water) to form lubricatingcoating on the surface of the material. Such type of lubricant is calledone-step lubricant. However, the lubricant of the above invention is toounstable to be used industrially because it emulsifies an oilingredient, and has not exerted stable lubricity in cold forging oflarge working degree or in tube drawing working where continuous heatload is imposed on the lubricating coating.

As a further means for solving the above-mentioned problems, there can,for example, be mentioned the invention of “a lubricant composition forplastic working of metallic material” disclosed in JP 2000-63880 A andmade by the present applicant. The invention relates to a lubricantcomposition for plastic working of metallic material which comprises (A)a synthetic resin, (B) a water soluble inorganic salt and water, andwherein the ratio by mass of (B)/(A) in terms of solid matter is 0.25/1to 9/1 and the synthetic resin is dissolved or dispersed. However evenin the invention, stable lubricity has not been exerted in cold forgingof large working degree or in tube drawing working where continuous heatload is imposed on the lubricating coating. Furthermore in theinvention, stable lubricity has not been exerted either in the caseswhere it is difficult, in actual operation, to apply a lubricantuniformly, for example in barrel treatment in cold forging, in bundledtreatment in tube reducing working or in coil treatment in wire drawingworking. Although it is indispensable to solve the above problems in useof a coating-type lubricant, it is a present state of things that aneffective solution has not yet been found.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Problem 1

The present invention is for solving problems which prior art(particularly prior art on the present invention as a fundamentalinvention) has, and aims to provide novel particles, as an ingredientused mainly in coating-type lubricating coating, which are excellent inseizure resistance, and can inhibit wear of tools at the time of plasticworking due to a low friction coefficient of their surfaces, and areslow to cause pollution of working oil; such particles that, when theparticles are incorporated into a lubricant layer, the lubricant layercan make itself firmly composite with the carrier layer so that theformer layer may coat the latter layer; powder consisting of theparticles; a suspension containing the particles; processes forpreparing the powder or suspension; and lubricating coating containingthe particles.

Means for Solving Problem 1

The present inventors have intensely studied for solving the aboveproblems (particularly Problem 1). As a result, they found thatparticles each of which consists of an inorganic polyvalent metalcompound as a nucleus and a coating of a metallic soap of the polyvalentmetal coating the nucleus, the inorganic polyvalent metal compound beingwater sparingly soluble or water insoluble and having reactivity with analkali metal salt, ammonium salt or water soluble ester of a fatty acid;or particles each of which consists of each of the particles definedabove and a coating of an alkali metal salt, ammonium salt or watersoluble ester of a fatty acid coating the particle, when used mainly asan ingredient in coating-type lubricating coating, are very suitable asa material which is excellent in seizure resistance, can inhibit wear oftools at the time of plastic working due to a low friction coefficientof their surfaces, and is slow to cause pollution of working oil; andcompleted this invention.

Namely, the invention relates to particles each of which consists of aninorganic polyvalent metal compound as a nucleus and a coating of ametallic soap of the polyvalent metal coating the surface of thenucleus, the inorganic polyvalent metal compound being water sparinglysoluble or water insoluble and having reactivity with an alkali metalsalt, ammonium salt or water soluble ester of a fatty acid (hereinafter,the above particles are sometimes referred to as two-layer particles);particles each of which consists of each of the particles defined aboveand a coating of an alkali metal salt, ammonium salt or water solubleester of a fatty acid (hereinafter, the “alkali metal salt, ammoniumsalt or water soluble ester of a fatty acid” is sometimes referred to as“alkali soap or the like”) coating the surface of the particle(hereinafter, the above particles are sometimes referred to asthree-layer particles); powder consisting of the particles; a suspensionwherein the above particles are suspended in water or an aqueoussolution of an alkali soap or the like, the average particle size ofparticles of the inorganic polyvalent metal compound being 20 μm orless, the proportion of all the metallic soap coatings to all theparticles being 1 to 30% by mass; a process for preparing the abovepowder or suspension; lubricating coating containing the above particlesin an amount of 1% by mass or more. Hereinafter, the two-layer particlesand/or three-layer particles are sometimes referred to as coatedparticles.

Problem 2

The present invention is also for solving problems which prior art(particularly prior art on the present invention as a more practicalapplied invention) has. Namely, the invention aims to provide such alubricating coating forming agent that protection of earthly environmentis taken into consideration; convenient treatment by a spraying methodor immersion method is possible; chemical conversion coating treatmentis unnecessary; and resulting coating has excellent working performanceand excellent seizure resistance equal to or more than those in chemicalconversion coating treatment method, and, even when uniform applicationis difficult as mentioned above, exerts stable lubricating propertiesowing to self-repairing effect.

Means for Solving Problem 2

The present invention have intensely studied for solving the aboveproblems (particularly Problem 2), and as a result, they found thatlubricating coating wherein cold forging working of large working degreeis possible and which exerts good lubricity even in tube drawing workingin which continuous heat load is imposed on the coating, can be obtainedby a convenient treating method of applying, onto a material to bewrought, an aqueous solution containing particles each of which consistsof a polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid as a nucleus and a coatingof a metallic soap of the polyvalent metal coating the surface of thenucleus, and a water soluble inorganic salt and/or a water solubleorganic acid salt, and drying the resulting wet coating; and furtherfound that the above-mentioned particles have both seizure resistanceand lubricity, and, therefore, even in a case as mentioned above whereuniform coating is difficult, the particles are introduced into the toolby melted ingredients in the coating and exert self-repairing effect onthe defect parts of the coating, and, finally, the coating exerts stablelubricity; and completed the present invention.

Namely, the invention relates to a lubricating coating forming agentwherein particles each of which consists of a water sparingly soluble orwater insoluble polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid (hereinaftermerely referred to as polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid) as anucleus and a coating of a metallic soap of the polyvalent metal coatingthe surface of the nucleus (the particles being hereinafter referred toas particles of coated polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid) aresuspended in an aqueous solution of a water soluble inorganic saltand/or a water soluble organic acid salt; each of the water solubleinorganic salt and organic acid salt having a property to form a firmcoating when it is uniformly dissolved in water and the resultingsolution is applied on a metallic material and dried.

The above particles of coated polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acidare included in the above-mentioned “two-layer particles” in the presentinvention as a fundamental invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The invention is described in detail below, and, first, the invention asa fundamental invention is mainly described in detail, and, then, theinvention as a practical applied invention is mainly described indetail.

Detailed Description Particularly on the Invention as a FundamentalInvention

The inorganic polyvalent metal compound which is used for preparing thecoated particles of the invention, and is water sparingly soluble orwater insoluble and has reactivity with an alkali soap or the like is animportant ingredient as a nucleus immobilizing the metallic soap layerin the coated particles of the invention. The inorganic polyvalent metalcompound used in the invention is a granular substance usually suppliedas powder or in a state dispersed in water. The inorganic polyvalentmetal compound is not particularly limited, and includes oxides,hydroxides, carbonates, phosphates, oxalates, etc. of polyvalent metals,and, as the polyvalent metal, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Ca, Mg, Ba, Al and Snare preferred also in the aspect of the industrial cost, and Zn isfurther preferred among them. As preferred specific examples of theinorganic polyvalent metal compound, there can be mentioned zincphosphate, zinc oxide, iron zinc phosphate, iron phosphate (ferrousphosphate, ferric phosphate), iron oxalate, manganese phosphate, nickelphosphate, cobalt phosphate, calcium phosphate, calciumhydrogenphosphate, calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide, etc., and amongthem zinc phosphate and zinc oxide are particularly preferably used.

The particle size of the inorganic polyvalent metal compound ispreferably as small as possible for making the coated particles oflubricant use, and, specifically, is preferably 300 μm or less and morepreferably 100 μm or less. As to the lower limit, there is no particularlimitation, but from a limitation on preparation, the order of 0.3 μm isusually a limit. When it is intended to obtain the coated particles ofthe invention in a state suspended in water, the average particle sizeof the inorganic polyvalent metal compound is preferably 20 μm or less,and more preferably 10 μm or less. When the average particle size ismore than 20 μm, it gets difficult to maintain stably the statedispersed in water.

The metallic soap coating the inorganic polyvalent metal compound in theinvention is a salt between the polyvalent metal and the fatty acidcomposing the alkali soap or the like, the salt being formed by reactionof the inorganic polyvalent metal compound with the alkali soap or thelike. As the metallic soap, there can be mentioned salts between apolyvalent metal such as Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Ca, Al or Sn and asaturated fatty acid or unsaturated fatty acid having preferably 8 to22, more preferably 16 to 20 carbon atoms (for example, palmitic acid,stearic acid, eicosanoic acid, oleic acid, etc.), and zinc stearate ismentioned representatively.

From the viewpoint of sufficiently coating the surfaces of the nuclei,the proportion of the metallic soap coatings to all the coated particlesis preferably 1 to 30% by mass, and more preferably 2 to 15% by mass.

The coated particles of the invention also include particles each ofwhich consists of a particle consisting of two layers of an inorganicpolyvalent metal compound and a metallic soap of the polyvalent metalcoating the metal compound, and a coating of an alkali soap or the likecoating the particle. In the particles consisting of these three layers,the particles each of which consists of the inorganic polyvalent metalcompound and the metallic soap of the polyvalent metal coating it may bethe same as those mentioned above. In the three-layer particles, theproportion of the coatings of the alkali soap or the like to all theparticles is preferably 0.1 to 5% by mass, more preferably 0.1 to 3% bymass in view of minimizing the amount of water soluble ingredients forthe purpose of heightening the heat resistance of the particles andmaintaining stable lubricating properties.

In the invention, the alkali soap or the like is not only needed forpreparing the two-layer particles, but itself forms the outmost layer ofthe three-layer particles. The alkali soap or the like used in theinvention is an alkali metal salt, ammonium salt or water soluble esterof a fatty acid. As the fatty acid, saturated fatty acids or unsaturatedfatty acids having 8 to 22, particularly 16 to 20 carbon atoms arepreferred, and there can specifically mentioned octanoic acid, decanoicacid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid,eicosanoic acid, oleic acid, etc. As the alkali metal, sodium, potassiumand lithium are preferred. As the water soluble ester, there can bementioned an ester obtained by ring-opening polymerizing ethylene oxideto the carboxyl group of the above fatty acid, etc. As preferredspecific examples of the alkali soap or the like, there can be mentioneda sodium or potassium salt of palmitic acid, stearic acid or eicosanoicacid, and most preferred among them is sodium stearate. Sodium stearatemay include both pure one and one containing sodium salts of other fattyacids. As the latter sodium stearate, sodium stearate put on the marketas C18 soap is mentioned, and its composition is 95% or more of sodiumstearate, less than 3% of C₁₆ fatty acids and less than 1% of mixed C₁₅and C₁₇ fatty acids.

The present invention also relates to powder consisting of the abovecoated particles (namely, the above two-layer particles or three-layerparticles).

The present invention also relates to a suspension wherein the abovetwo-layer particles are suspended in water or an aqueous solution of analkali soap or the like, the average particle size of the particles ofthe inorganic polyvalent metal compound being 20 μm or less. The averageparticle size of the particles of the inorganic polyvalent metalcompound in the two-layer particles is preferably 10 μm or less when theaverage particle size is more than 20 μm, it gets difficult to maintainthe water suspension state stably. The proportion of metallic soapcoatings to all the two-layer particles in the suspension is preferably1 to 30% by mass, more preferably 2 to 15% by mass, as is the case ofthe above-mentioned two-layer particles. It is possible to compound intothe suspension a surfactant, a dispersant, a water soluble resin or thelike in view of further heightening the stability of the dispersoid. Theproportion of the two-layer particles to the whole suspension is notparticularly limited so long as stable suspension of the two-layerparticles is maintained, but, usually, is preferably on the order of 1to 50% by mass, more preferably on the order of 5 to 40% by mass.

Description is made bellow on processes for preparation of the abovepowder and suspension of the invention.

The powder of the invention can be obtained by suspending particles ofthe above inorganic polyvalent metal compound in an aqueous solution ofan alkali soap or the like, stirring the resulting suspension underheating to form metallic soap coating on the surfaces of the particlesof the inorganic polyvalent metal compound, and drying the suspension.

As to use amount of the alkali soap or the like to the inorganicpolyvalent metal compound, the alkali soap or the like may be used sothat the above-mentioned proportion of the metallic soap to the coatedparticles may be obtained, but, specifically, it is preferred that themole ratio of the inorganic polyvalent metal compound:the alkali soap orthe like is the range of 100:0.05 to 100:25. When the amount of thealkali soap or the like is less than 100:0.05, the amount of themetallic soap layer gets extremely small, and expected effect tends notto be exerted sufficiently. When the amount of the alkali soap or thelike is more than 100:25, the efficiency of the coating reaction isextremely reduced to bring about economical disadvantage. When thepowder of the invention is used in lubricant use, the mole ratio of theinorganic polyvalent metal compound:the alkali soap or the like ispreferably in the range of 100:0.25 to 100:15. When the amount of thealkali soap or the like is less than 100:0.25, sufficient lubricationperformance tends hard to obtain, and it is more than 100:15, suchproblems tend to occur that the foaming properties of the suspensiongets high due to existence of a lot of unreacted alkali soap or thelike, and so on.

For accelerating reaction in preparation of the powder, it is preferredto adjust the temperature of the suspension to 60° C. or more,particularly 70 to 100° C., and the pH to 9 or more, particularly 10 to12. As to the mechanism of the reaction, it is presumed that, onparticles of the inorganic polyvalent metal compound, doubledecomposition reaction between the inorganic polyvalent metal compoundand the alkali soap or the like takes place, and metallic soap layerscoat the particles of the inorganic polyvalent metal compound as nuclei.For making the pH the above-mentioned alkali side, there can be usedhydroxides (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc.), carbonates(sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, etc.), bicarbonates (sodiumbicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, etc.) of alkali metal, aqueousammonia, etc., and preferred among them is sodium hydroxide. Aftersurfaces of the particles of the inorganic polyvalent metal compound arecoated with a preferred amount of metallic soap coatings, the suspensionis dried into powder, and the method of the drying may be a conventionalone. For example, a method of filtering the suspension and drying theresulting solid, a method of spray drying the suspension, or the likecan be adopted.

Powder obtained by the above-mentioned process for preparing the powderof the invention is, usually, powder of three-layer particles consistingof the inorganic polyvalent metal compound, the metallic soap and thealkali soap or the like. Powder of two-layer particles consisting of theinorganic polyvalent metal compound and the metallic soap can beprepared by washing away the alkali soap or the like composing theoutermost layer of the three-layer particles obtained in a way asmentioned above, with hot water, aqueous alcohol solution or the like.

The suspension of the invention can be obtained by suspending particlesof the inorganic polyvalent metal compound in an aqueous solution of analkali soap or the like, and stirring the suspension under heating toform metallic soap coating on the surfaces of the particles of theinorganic polyvalent metal compound. In this case, for suspending theparticles of the inorganic polyvalent metal compound stably, theparticle size of the particles of the inorganic polyvalent metalcompound needs to be adjusted to 20 μm or less, and is preferablyadjusted to 10 μm or less. For further stabilizing the suspension state,it is possible to compound a surfactant, a dispersant, a water solubleresin or the like.

The use amount of the alkali soap or the like to the inorganicpolyvalent metal compound, the temperature and pH of the suspension foraccelerating the reaction, and additives for making the pH theabove-mentioned alkaline side may be the same as in the case of thepreparation of the powder of the invention.

The powder and suspension relating to the metallic soap of the inventionexert excellent performance as lubricants used in the cold plasticworking field, etc. Namely, coating formed by making the powder orsuspension of the invention adhering to the surface of a material to besubjected to cold plastic working shows excellent performance aslubricating coating for cold plastic working. When the powder ofsuspension is used for forming lubricating coating, the powder orsuspension alone can be made into coating, but it can also be made intocoating together with other general ingredients such as lubricatingwaxes, solid lubricants, extremely pressure additives, coating formingresins and/or viscosity adjusting agents. For example, by using thepowder or suspension together with a lubricating oil containing amineral oil or palm oil as a main ingredient, or a olefin wax or highmolecular wax which melts and is liquidized at the time of working, itis possible to give the latter (i.e., the lubricating oil, etc.)excellent seizure resistance.

When the powder or suspension of the invention is compounded into alubricating coating to give it seizure resistance, the compounding ispreferably made so that the content of the powder or the solid matter inthe suspension in the resulting coating may be 1% by mass or more,particularly 5% by mass or more. When the compounding proportion of thepowder or the solid matter in the suspension is less than 1% by mass, itis impossible to give the lubricating coating sufficient seizureresistance. Although the conditions for the adhesion are notparticularly limited, the dry coating thickness of the lubricatingcoating is preferably made to be in the range of 0.5 to 50 μm, morepreferably made to be in the range of 1.0 to 30 μm. When the coatingthickness is less than 0.5 μm, there is an anxiety that, especially inthe strong working field, sufficient seizure resistance cannot beobtained to cause poor working. Further, the coating thickness of morethan 50 μm is superfluous and only increases the amount of the coatingpeeling away at introduction into the tool, and, thus, tends to bringabout economical disadvantage.

A method for forming, on the surface of a material to be wrought,lubricating coating containing the powder or solid matter in thesuspension of the invention is not particularly limited, and aconventional method can be adopted. For example, in the case of theaqueous suspension, lubricating coating can be obtained by making theaqueous suspension adhere onto the surface of the material by immersiontreatment, spraying, roll coater treatment or the like, and then dryingthe resulting wet coating by natural seasoning, compulsory hot airdrying or the like. In this operation, it is possible to mix a resin, aninorganic salt or the like for heightening the adhesion of the powder orthe solid matter in the suspension, or an oil, a soap, a metallic soap,a wax or the like for supplementing the lubricity of powder or the solidmatter in the suspension.

Further, as to a method for forming coating solely from the powder in adry state, the powder of the invention can be made to adhere by a powderbox method, an electrostatic coating method or the like, and anelectrostatic coating method is particularly preferred because controlof adhesion properties and adhesion amount is easy and stable anduniform lubricating coating can be obtained. It is also possible to mixa resin ingredient or wax ingredient having a low melting point, whenthe powder is made to adhere, for preventing peeling of the powder fromthe surface of the material to be wrought, and then heat the material tobe wrought to immobilize the powder. It is also possible to mix powderof soap, metallic soap, wax, resin or the like for supplement oflubricity. Further, it is possible to obtain lubricating coating of acontinuous coating state, through working heat and pressure, by, aftermaking the powder of the invention adhere, subjecting the material to bewrought to light plastic working of the order of skin pass; and theoperation is preferred since the resulting coating is coating furtherexcellent in lubrication performance and barrier performance such ascorrosion resistance. Particularly, lubricating coating obtained by acombination of electrostatic coating method and light plastic working ofthe order of skin pass is equal to “coating of phosphating treatmentplus soap treatment” in all performance aspects. In this occasion,coating obtained after mixing the powder with a high molecular syntheticwax in a ratio by mass of preferably 1:9 to 9:1, more preferably 1:1 to9:1 is excellent in lubricity, oil resistance, etc.

Detailed Description Particularly on the Invention as a More PracticalApplied Invention

The invention is described in detail below. The particles of theinvention each of which consists of a polyvalent metal salt ofphosphoric acid as a nucleus and a metallic soap of the polyvalent metalcoating the nucleus, namely particles of coated polyvalent metal salt ofphosphoric acid give the resulting coating heat resistance andlubricity. It is necessary for a polyvalent metal salt of phosphoricacid to be selected to be sparingly soluble or insoluble in water. Aspreferred examples of the polyvalent metal in the polyvalent metal saltof phosphoric acid, there can be mentioned Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Ca, Mg,Ba, Al and Sn, and further preferred among them are Zn, Fe and Ca. Asspecific examples of the polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid, therecan be mentioned zinc phosphate, iron zinc phosphate, iron phosphate(ferrous phosphate, ferric phosphate), manganese phosphate, nickelphosphate, cobalt phosphate, calcium phosphate, calciumhydrogenphosphate, magnesium phosphate, magnesium hydrogenphosphate,barium phosphate, barium hydrogenphosphate, aluminum phosphate, tinphosphate, etc., and preferred among them are zinc phosphate, iron zincphosphate, iron phosphate (ferrous phosphate, ferric phosphate), calciumphosphate and calcium hydrogenphosphate. These can be used alone or incombination of two or more.

The particles of the coated polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acidexist in coating obtained by applying the lubricating coating formingagent of the invention onto a metallic material to be subjected to coldplastic working, and give the metallic material seizure resistance andlubricity; and, after being introduced into a die by melted coatingingredients at the time of working, exert an action to repair coatingdefects, namely a self-repairing action. For these purposes, in a statesuspended in water or an aqueous solution of an alkali soap or the like,the average particle size of the particles of the coated polyvalentmetal salt of phosphoric acid is preferably 30 μm or less, morepreferably 0.3 to 30 μm and still more preferably 0.5 to 20 μm. Theaverage particle size of the polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid inthe particles of the coated polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid ispreferably 20 μm or less, more preferably 0.2 to 20 μm and still morepreferably 0.4 to 10 μm. Furthermore, for giving sufficient lubricity,the proportion by mass of the metallic soap coatings to all theparticles of the coated polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid ispreferably 1 to 30%, more preferably 2 to 15%.

The particles of the coated polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid areincluded in “two-layer particles” in the present invention particularlyas a fundamental invention, and can be prepared in a similar way as inthe two-layer particles.

Next, the water soluble inorganic salt needs to have not only a propertyto give the lubricating coating hardness but also a property toimmobilize the particles of the coated polyvalent metal salt ofphosphoric acid in the coating. A water soluble inorganic salt selectedtherefor needs to have a property to dissolve in water uniformly and,when the solution is applied onto a metallic material and dried, formfirm coating. It is preferred to use, as the water soluble inorganicsalt having such properties, at least one selected from the groupconsisting of alkali metal salts of sulfuric acid, alkali metal salts ofsilicic acid and alkali metal salts of boric acid. As specific examplesthereof, there can be mentioned sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate,sodium silicate, potassium silicate, sodium borate, potassium borate,etc., and these can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The water soluble organic acid salt needs to have a property not only togive hardness to the lubricating coating, but to immobilize theparticles of the coated polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid in thecoating. A water soluble organic acid salt selected therefor needs tohave a property to dissolve in water uniformly and, when the solution isapplied onto a metallic material and dried, form firm coating. It ispreferred to use, as the water soluble organic acid salt having suchproperties, at least one selected from the group consisting of alkalimetal salts of malic acid, alkali metal salts of succinic acid, alkalimetal salts of citric acid and alkali metal salts of tartaric acid. Asmore specific examples thereof, there can be mentioned sodium malate,potassium malate, sodium succinate, potassium succinate, sodium citrate,potassium citrate, sodium tartrate, potassium tartrate, etc.

The compounding proportion between the particles of the coatedpolyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid (A) and the total of the watersoluble inorganic salt and the water soluble organic acid salt (B) as aratio by mass in solid matter of (B)/(A) is preferably 0.01 to 20.0,more preferably 0.01 to 16.0 and still more preferably 0.01 to 7.5. Atless than 0.01, the particles of the coated polyvalent metal salt ofphosphoric acid are not immobilized in the coating, the water solubleinorganic salt of the lubricating coating is not drawn into the toolagainst shear onto the coating at the time of working, and seizureresistance gets insufficient. On the other hand, at more than 20.0,since a probability that the water soluble inorganic salt having a highfriction coefficient exists on the coating surface gets extremely high,the friction coefficient of the coating gets high, the coating gets easyto break and seizure gets liable to occur.

The lubricating coating forming agent of the invention may contain asmectite clay mineral according to necessity, and it is usuallypreferred to incorporate it. The smectite clay mineral used in theinvention is a clay mineral having the following general formula. (“ClayHandbook 2nd edition” edited by Japan Clay Society and published byGihodo Publishing CO., Ltd., pages 58-66, 1987 ): X_(m)(Y²⁺,Y³⁺)₂₋₃Z₄O₁₀(OH)₂.nH₂O wherein X is at least one of K, Na, ½ Ca and ½Mg, m is 0.25 to 0.6, Y²⁺ is at least one of Mg²⁺, Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺,Zn²⁺ and Li⁺, Y³⁺ is at least one of Al³⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn³⁺ and Cr³⁺, Z is atleast one of Si and Al, and nH₂O is water among layers. Y²⁺, Y³⁺ in(Y²⁺, Y³⁺) means Y²⁺ and/or Y³⁺. Further, in the above, X represents acation among the layers, Y is a cation of the octahedron and Z is acation of the tetrahedron.

The smectite clay mineral used in the invention needs to have a propertyto give dispersion stability in liquid to the particles of the coatedpolyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid and stabilize distribution ofthe particles in the coating. Therefor, formation of stable sol in anaqueous phase and increase of viscosity accompanying sharp increase ofthe concentrations of the contained ingredients get necessary. Smectiteclay minerals generally show the above-mentioned properties whendispersed in an aqueous phase, and as smectite clay minerals having suchproperties, it is preferred to use at least one selected from the groupconsisting of hectorite, montmorillonite, beidellite, nontronite,saponite, iron saponite, stevensite and sauconite. Smectite clayminerals can be obtained not only as natural resources but as syntheticones, and both can be used in the invention.

The compounding proportion of the smectite clay mineral as s a ratio bymass in terms of solid matter of (C)/(A) wherein (A) are the particlesof the coated polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid and (C) is thesmectite clay mineral is preferably 0.005 to 0.5, more preferably 0.01to 0.4. At less than 0.005, an effect to improve the dispersionstability of the particles of the coated polyvalent metal salt ofphosphoric acid in the liquid and an effect to stabilize thedistribution in the coating are not sufficient, and at more than 0.5,the lubricating coating forming agent gets a paste state to make itsstable use difficult.

The lubricating coating forming agent of the invention may contain anauxiliary lubricant according to necessity, and, usually, it ispreferred to incorporate it in the agent. The auxiliary lubricant needsto have an action to lower the friction coefficient of lubricatingcoating formed by the lubricating coating forming agent of theinvention, and, as a melt carrier introducing the particles of thecoated polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid between the material tobe wrought and the tool, help the self-repairing effect of the coating.Therefor, the auxiliary lubricant, as one which melts with heatgenerated at the time of plastic working to give the coating slippingproperties and acts as a melt carrier, is preferably at least oneselected from the group consisting of oil, soap, metallic soap, wax andpolytetrafluoroethylene. As the oil, there can be used vegetable oils,synthetic oils, mineral oils, etc., and there can, for example, bementioned palm oil, castor oil, rapeseed oil, machine oil, turbine oil,spindle oil, ester oil, silicone oil, etc. The soap is an alkali metalsalt of a fatty acid, and there can, for example, be mentioned sodiumsalts, potassium salts, etc. of saturated or unsatureated fatty acidshaving 8 to 22 carbon atoms such as octanoic acid, decanoic acid, lauricacid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, eicosanoic acid andoleic acid. As the metallic soap, there can be mentioned salts ofpolyvalent metals such as calcium, zinc, magnesium and barium with theabove-mentioned fatty acids. As the wax, there can be mentionedpolyethylene wax, polypropylene wax, carnauba wax, paraffin wax, etc. Asthe polytetrafluoroethylene, there can be mentionedpolytetrafluoroethylene having a molecular weight of the order of1,000,000 to 10,000,000. It is preferred that such an auxiliarylubricant is incorporated in the lubricating coating forming agent bymixing it in the form of aqueous emulsion or aqueous dispersion withother ingredients. The auxiliary lubricant is usually dispersed oremulsified in the lubricating coating forming agent of the invention.

The compounding proportion of the auxiliary lubricant as s a ratio bymass in terms of solid matter of (D)/(A) wherein (A) are the particlesof the coated polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid and (D) is theauxiliary lubricant is preferably 0.03 to 18.0, more preferably 0.05 to15.0 and still more preferably 0.5 to 5.0. At less than 0.03, thefriction coefficient of the lubricating coating is increased and theeffect to act as a melt carrier is not sufficient, and at more than18.0, the coating is softened, and the coating tends to be brokenbecause it gets incapable of withstanding shearing force thereon at thetime of working.

The lubricating coating forming agent of the invention may contain anorganic high molecular compound according to necessity. It is preferredthat the organic high molecular compound is water soluble or waterdispersible and has a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 to1,000,000. The organic high molecular compound needs to have an actionto give coating strength to lubricating coating formed using thelubricating coating forming agent. The organic high molecular compoundis not particularly limited so long as it has coating formability, andthere can, for example, be mentioned resin as a polymer of ethylenicallyunsaturated monomer(s) (particularly, acrylic resin), urethane resin,epoxy resin, phenol resin, hydroxymethylcellulose,carboxymethylcellulose, etc. It is preferred that such an organic highmolecular compound is incorporated in the lubricating coating formingagent by mixing it in the form of aqueous emulsion or aqueous dispersionwith other ingredients. In view of improving the coating strength ofcoating formed by the lubricating coating forming agent, the organichigh molecular compound is added into the lubricating coating formingagent so that its content can be preferably 0.5 to 25% by mass, morepreferably 1.0 to 15% by mass based on the whole solid matter includingitself.

In plastic working wherein the working is severe, it is possible tofurther incorporate a solid lubricant in the lubricating coating formingagent. As the solid lubricant in such a case, one existing stably in thecoating and capable of assisting lubrication at a high load ispreferred. As such solid lubricants, there can be mentioned graphite,molybdenum disulfide, boron nitride, fluorinated graphite, mica, etc.

In plastic working wherein the working is severer, it is possible toincorporate an extremely pressure additive in the lubricating coatingforming agent. As the extremely pressure additive in such a case, oneexisting stably in the coating and capable of exerting extreme-pressureeffect at the contact surface between the tool and the metal ispreferred. As such extremely pressure additives, there can be mentionedsulfur containing extremely pressure additives, organomolybdenumextremely pressure additives, phosphorus containing extremely pressureadditives and chlorine containing extremely pressure additives such assulfurized olefins, sulfurized esters, sulfites, thiocarbonates,chlorinated fatty acids, phosphoric esters, phosphorous esters,molybdenum dithiocarbamate (MoDTC), molybdenum dithiophophate (MoDTP)and zinc dithiophosphate (ZnDTP).

When a dispersant is necessary to disperse or emulsify the particles ofthe coated polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid, the auxiliarylubricant, and/or the solid lubricant and/or extremely pressureadditives, as such a dispersant, there can be used a dispersant selectedfrom nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants,cationic surfactants, water soluble high molecular dispersants and soon.

There is no particular limitation on a process for preparing thelubricating coating forming agent of the invention so long as alubricating coating forming agent prepared meets the above-mentionedconditions. For example, the agent can be obtained by adding particlesof a coated polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid, and, as optionalingredients, a smectite clay mineral, an auxiliary lubricant, and/or asolid lubricant and/or an extremely pressure additive, if necessaryafter being made into a dispersion or emulsion using a dispersant andwater, into an aqueous solution of a water soluble inorganic salt and/ora water soluble organic acid salt; and then stirring the resultingmixture. The solid matter concentration of the lubricating coatingforming agent is not particularly limited so long as the lubricatingcoating forming agent prepared meets the above-mentioned conditions,but, in view of handling properties and stability of the lubricatingcoating forming agent, the solid matter concentration is preferably 1 to80% by mass, more preferably 10 to 60% by mass.

The lubricating coating forming agent of the invention can be used as alubricant used when a metallic material such as iron or steel, stainlesssteel, plated steel (for example, steel subjected to plating treatmentsuch as electrogalvanizing, molten zinc plating, aluminum zinc plating,aluminum plating or iron zinc plating), aluminum or aluminum alloy,magnesium alloy, tin or tin alloy, titanium or titanium alloy, or copperor copper alloy is subjected to cold plastic working such as forging,wire drawing, tube reducing or sheet forming. There is no particularlimitation on the shape of the metallic material.

For exerting good lubricity, it is preferred, prior to applying thelubricating coating forming agent of the invention, to pretreat ametallic material to be worked in order of cleaning (usually, an alkalicleaner is used), water washing, descaling (shot blasting or acidwashing with hydrochloric acid or the like) and water washing to cleanthe surface of the metallic material. When oxidation scale does notadhere or the metallic material is used in a use where oxidation scaleis needed, descaling and succeeding water washing can be omitted. Thesepretreatments can be carried out by conventional ways.

The lubricating coating forming agent of the invention is applied to thesurface of a metallic material by a conventional method such asimmersion, spraying or

. The application is carried out until the metal surface is sufficientlycoated with the lubricating coating forming agent, and there is noparticular limitation on time of the application. After the application,the lubricating coating forming agent needs to be dried. The drying maybe made by allowing the coating to stand at ordinary temperature, but,usually, is preferably made at 60 to 150° C. for 10 to 60 minutes. Inview of preventing seizure, the coating mass of the lubricating coatingforming agent is preferably 1 g/m² or more, more preferably 3 to 30g/m².

Lubricating coating obtained from the lubricating coating forming agentof the invention shows stable cold plastic working performance becausethe particles of the coated polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acidhaving good seizure resistance and slipping properties are uniformlyheld in the coating by immobilizing effect of the water solubleinorganic salt and/or the water soluble organic acid salt, and thesmectite clay mineral. Furthermore, since, because the auxiliarylubricant ingredient melting by heat generation due to working acts as amelt carrier, and so on, the particles of the coated polyvalent metalsalt of phosphoric acid are drawn into the die and exert aself-repairing action on coating defect parts, the lubricating coatingshows stable lubricity, even in tube drawing working such as tubereducing or wire drawing wherein lubricating coating forming treatmentis, usually, carried out in such a state such as a banded state or acoiled state that the resulting coating is liable to be ununiform.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is further specifically described below togetherwith its effects, by giving examples of the invention together withcomparative examples.

I. Examples and Comparative Examples on the Invention as a FundamentalInvention

1. Preparation of Suspension and Powder of Metallic Soap-CoatedParticles

A suspension and powder of metallic soap-coated particles were preparedaccording to the processes shown below. For confirming that coatedparticles, wherein nuclei of the inorganic polyvalent metal compound arecoated with coatings of the metallic soap, are prepared, soapingredients in the powder prepared or soap ingredients in the powderobtained by drying the suspension prepared were separated into alkalisoap or the like dissolving in an aqueous ethanol solution and metallicsoap not dissolving therein, and the mass of each was measured, wherebyformation of metallic soap was confirmed. The above method is explainedin more detail below. One gram of a powder sample was stirred in aqueous50% ethanol solution for 4 hours, and the mixture was filtered withfilter paper. Then, the filtrate and the residue were heated in 1Nhydrochloric acid, respectively, to decompose the soap ingredients intofatty acid(s). Each of the mixtures was extracted with diethyl ether,and the proportion of metallic soap formation=([(fatty acid(s) from themetallic soap)/(fatty acid(s) from the alkali soap or the like+fattyacid(s) from the metallic soap)]×100) was calculated. When theproportion of metallic soap formation is 50% or more, it was judged thatthe nuclei surfaces were coated with a sufficient amount of metallicsoap layers.

(A1)

Ten grams of sodium stearate and 1 g of sodium hydroxide were mixed with100 g of particles of zinc phosphate having an average particle size of1 μm and dispersed in 1 L of water, and the mixture was stirred at aliquid temperature of 90 to 95° C. for 30 minutes to obtain a suspensionof metallic soap-coated particles.

-   -   ※Proportion of metallic soap formation=82% (this value        corresponds to about 8% as the proportion by mass of metallic        soap coatings based on all the two-layer particles)        (A2)

Two hundred grams of zinc phosphate powder, 30 g of potassium stearateand 1 g of potassium hydroxide were dispersed into 700 mL of water understirring, and the mixture was stirred at a liquid temperature of 70° C.for 1 hour. Solid matter was recovered by filtration, and stirred for 4hours in aqueous 50% ethanol solution, and, by second filtration, solidmatter was obtained. This was dried in an oven of 100° C. to obtain drypowder of metallic soap-coated particles containing no layer of thealkali soap.

※Proportion of metallic soap formation=78% (this value corresponds toabout 10% as the proportion by mass of metallic soap coatings based onall the two-layer particles)

(A3)

Two hundred grams of zinc oxide, 10 g of sodium stearate and 3 g ofsodium hydroxide were dispersed into 700 mL of water under stirring, andthe mixture was stirred at a liquid temperature of 90° C. for 20minutes. Then, solid matter was recovered by filtration and dried in anoven of 100° C. to obtain dry powder of metallic soap-coated particles.

※Proportion of metallic soap formation=53% (this value corresponds toabout 3% as the proportion by mass of metallic soap coatings based onall the three-layer particles)

2. Test on Resistance to Oil Pollution

As one of the problems which the powder of the metallic soap-coatedparticles of the invention aims to solve, there is resistance topollution of oil. This aims to solve a pollution phenomenon of workingoil which metallic soap has as a drawback, by using the above powder forlubricant use in place of conventional metallic soap. A test method andevaluation criterion therefor are given below. One gram of one of theprepared powders of metallic soap-coated particles or 1 g of one ofmetallic soap powders on the market shown below was added to 100 g offormer oil on the market, and the mixture was left alone in a stirringstate at 60° C. Then, the stirring was stopped, and, under a suspensionstate of the oil at 1 hour after, resistance to oil pollution wasevaluated. The sooner the suspended matter can be precipitated, thebetter.

Evaluation criterion: A: the suspended matter is completelyprecipitated, and the transparent layer occupies 95% or more of thewhole volume. B: the suspended matter is precipitated, and thetransparent layer of less than 95% of the whole volume can berecognized. C: the oil is in a suspension state, and no transparentlayer can be recognized.

Evaluation results of the test on resistance to oil pollution onExamples I-1 and I-2 of the invention and Comparative examples I-1 andI-2 are shown in Table 1. The powders of metallic soap-coated particlesof the invention mentioned in the examples were very excellent inresistance to oil pollution. The reason is presumed to be that themetallic soap layers are immobilized on the surfaces of the particles ofthe inorganic polyvalent metal compound, and thus it gets hard for themetallic soap layers to peel off into the oil. On the other hand,calcium stearate powder (B3) and zinc stearate powder (B6) of thecomparative examples are metallic soap powders having no nucleus, and,thus, got to be in a swollen state in the oil, and continued to besuspended in the oil by being finely dispersed. TABLE 1 Results ofresistance to Sample powder oil pollution Example I-1 A2 A Example I-1A3 A Com. exam. I-1 B3 C Com. exam. I-2 B6 CNote:Com. exam.: Comparative example3. Evaluation as Lubricating Coating Forming Material

The compositions of the lubricating coatings of Examples I-3 to I-9obtained by using, as lubricating coating forming materials, thesuspension of the metallic soap-coated particles of the inventionprepared in the above or the powders of the metallic soap-coatedparticles of the invention prepared in the above, and the compositionsof the lubricating coatings of Comparative examples I-3 to I-7 not usingsuspension of metallic soap-coated particles nor powder of metallicsoap-coated particles of the present invention are shown in Table 2.

3.1. Lubricating Coating Forming Material

Lubricating coating forming materials used in the present test are shownbelow.

-   -   (A1) The suspension of the metallic soap-coated particles of the        invention obtained in the above    -   (A2) The powder of the metallic soap-coated particles of the        invention obtained in the above    -   (A3) The powder of the metallic soap-coated particles of the        invention obtained in the above    -   (A4) Aqueous suspension of zinc phosphate particles having an        average particle size of 0.5 μm    -   (A5) Zinc oxide powder having an average particle size of 50 μm    -   (B1) Water-dispersed polyethylene wax    -   (B2) Water-dispersed olefin wax    -   (B3) Calcium stearate powder    -   (B4) Montanic acid wax powder    -   (B5) Oxidized polyethylene wax powder    -   (B6) Zinc stearate powder    -   (C1) Sodium polyacrylate (molecular weight 10,000)    -   (C2) Aqueous emulsion of urethane resin (polyester urethane        resin)        3.2. Treating Method

For forming lubricating coating of an example of the invention or acomparative example on the surface of a test material, one of thefollowing treating methods was used.

(a) Immersion Treatment Method

A test piece whose surface was cleaned was immersed in lubricatingcoating forming suspension of ordinary temperature to make thesuspension adhere thereon, and was subjected to drying in a hot airdrying furnace of 100° C. to form lubricating coating on the surface ofthe test piece. The amount of the dry coating adhering was about 15g/m².

(b) Electrostatic Coating Method

A test piece whose surface was cleaned was electrostatically coated withlubricating coating forming powder to form lubricating coating in apowder adhesion state on the surface of the test piece. As anelectrostatic powdering apparatus, GX300 made by Nihon Parkerizing Co.,Ltd was used, and the lubricating coating forming powder was charged ata voltage of 60 kV. Adhesion of the charged lubricating coating formingpowder on the surface of the test piece by an electrostatic coatingmethod was carried out using an electrostatic coating gun GX116 made byNihon Parkerizing Co., Ltd. Air pressures for supply of the powder inthis operation were 98 kPa as the main air pressure and 196 kPa as thesub-air pressure. The coating time was 1 second, and the amount of thepowder coating adhering was about 15 g/m².

3.3. Test Method and Evaluation Criterion

3.3.1. Spike Test

Spike test working was made according to the method disclosed in JP5-7969 A, and lubricity was evaluated by the spike height of the testpiece after the working. The higher the spike height is, the better thelubricity is.

Test piece: A material used for the test was annealed S45C materialwhich was made spherical and commercially available, and the shape ofthe test piece was 25 mm φ in diameter and 30 mm in height.

Evaluation criterion: A: Spike height was 13 mm or more

-   -   B: Spike height was 12 mm or more but less than 13 mm    -   C: Spike height was less than 12 mm    -   D: The material was seized onto the die, resulting in molding        being impossible        3.3.2. Drawing Test

Steel wire as a test piece coated with a lubricating coating wassubjected to drawing working of the order of skin pass (first drawing:reduction in area being 10.3%), and, then, subjected to drawing workingof reduction in area being 31.5% (second drawing), using a draw benchdrawing testing machine on the market.

Test piece: A material used for the test was SCr440 material on themarket, and the shape of the test piece was 9.5 mm φ in diameter and 1 min length.

Evaluation Criterion:

A: Seizure and flaws were not found up to the second drawing

B: Seizure was not found up to the second drawing, but some flaws werefound.

C: Seizure and flaws were not found up to the first drawing, but seizureoccurred at the second drawing resulting in drawing being impossible

D: Seizure occurred at the first drawing resulting in drawing beingimpossible TABLE 2 Composition of lubricating film Seizure LubricantOther resisting ingredient ingredient ingredient (com- (com-(compounding pounding pounding Treating amount %) amount %) amount %)method Example I-3  A1 (100) — — a I-4 A1 (50) B1 (45) C1 (5)  a I-5 A1(20) B2 (70) C2 (10) a I-6  A2 (100) — — b I-7 A2 (80) B4 (20) — b I-8A3 (50) B5 (50) — b I-9 A3 (30) B4 (60) C1 (10) b Com. exam I-3  A4(100) — — a I-4 A4 (50) B1 (45) C1 (5)  a I-5  A5 (100) — — b I-6 A5(50) B3 (50) — b I-7 A5 (30) B5 (70) — bNote:The compounding amount of each ingredient is compounding amount as solidmatterCom. exam.: Comparative example

TABLE 3 Results of evaluation as lubricating film forming material Spiketest Drawing test Example I-3 B B I-4 A A I-5 A A I-6 B B I-7 A A I-8 BB I-9 A B Com. exam. I-3 D D I-4 C C I-5 D D I-6 C D I-7 C CNote:Com. exam.: Comparative example

As shown in the above results of evaluation (see Table 3), each of thelubricating coatings of Examples I-3 to I-9 obtained by using themetallic soap compositions of the invention which play a role of seizureresisting ingredient and, at the same time, also have lubricatingperformance, showed good lubricating performance. On the other hand, inComparative examples I-3 to I-7, because of exposure of the seizureresisting ingredient having high friction coefficient, the resultinglubricating coatings could not exert sufficient performance aslubricating coating being subjected to strong working, and, moreover,load to the tool is judged to be high.

As apparent from the above explanation, the coated particles of theinvention consisting of an inorganic polyvalent metal compound as anucleus, and metallic soap coating or metallic soap coating plus coatingof alkali soap or the like on it coating the nucleus, are mainly used asingredients for coating type lubricating coating, and are suitable asmaterials which are excellent in seizure resistance, and, because oftheir low surface friction coefficient, can inhibit wear of tools at thetime of plastic working, and do not easily cause pollution of workingoil. Therefore, the industrial utility value of the present invention isextremely great.

II. Examples and Comparative Examples on the Invention as a ParticularlyPractical Applied Invention Examples II-1 to II-12 and Comparativeexamples II-1 to II-9

Lubricating coating forming agents of ingredients and their compositionsshown in Table 4 were prepared.

<Coating of Polyvalent Metal Salt of Phosphoric Acid with Metallic Soap>

As to Examples II-1 to II-12 and Comparative examples II-1, II-2, II-5and II-6, coating of a polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid[ingredient (A)] with metallic soap was carried out (Table 4).Specifically, 90 g of a polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid havingan average particle size of 1 to 5 μm dispersed in 1L of water, 9 g ofsodium stearate and 1 g of potassium hydroxide were mixed and stirred ata liquid temperature of 80 to 85° C. for 30 minutes to obtain asuspension of particles of coated polyvalent metal salt of phosphoricacid.

<Preparation of the Lubricating Coating Forming Agent of Example II-1>

Preparation of a lubricating coating forming agent was made so that therespective ingredients got to be the ratios of Table 4. The procedure ofthe preparation is as follows. First, the water soluble inorganic saltwas dissolved in water, and then the smectite clay mineral wasincorporated in the solution and uniformly dispersed. Thereafter, theabove suspension of particles of coated polyvalent metal salt ofphosphoric acid was incorporated in the suspension, and then theauxiliary lubricant was added, and the mixture was stirred to preparethe lubricating coating forming agent of Example II-1. As to startingmaterials used in Example II-1, the polyvalent metal salt of phosphoricacid is zinc phosphate (solid), the water soluble inorganic salt isaqueous 50% by mass sodium silicate dispersion, and the smectite claymineral is montmorillonite (solid).

The lubricating coating forming agents of Examples II-2 to II-12 andComparative examples II-1 to II-7 were prepared in the similar manner asabove. The lubricating coating forming agents of Comparative exampleII-8 is an existing coating-type lubricating coating forming agent, andthe lubricating coating forming agent of Comparative example II-9 is aphosphate salt plus soap treating agent on the market.

<Test Piece>

The following test pieces were used for the following evaluations.

-   -   Friction coefficient measuring test: SPCC-SB 150 mm×70 mm×0.8        mmt (t is thickness)    -   Evaluation of forging properties: S45C annealed material which        was made spherical 30 mmφ×18 to 40 mm    -   Tube reducing properties: STKM17A 25.4 mmφ×2.5 mmt×2,000 mm    -   Wire drawing properties: S45C annealed material 3.0 mmφ×50,000        mm        <Coating Forming Treatment>

coating forming treatment was made according to the following steps.

In the cases of Examples II-1 to II-12 and Comparative example II-1 toII-8

-   -   (1) Cleaning: a degreasing agent on the market (registered        trademark Fine Cleaner 4360, made by Nihon Parkerizing Co.,        Ltd.), concentration 20 g/L, temperature 60° C., immersion 10        minutes    -   (2) Water washing: tap water, room temperature, immersion 30        seconds    -   (3) Descaling: hydrochloric acid washing, concentration 17.5%,        room temperature, immersion 10 minutes    -   (4) Water washing: tap water, room temperature, immersion 30        seconds    -   (5) Treatment: treating agent of an example or comparative        example, room temperature, immersion 10 seconds, targeted        adhesion amount 5 g/m²    -   (6) Drying: 80° C., 5 minutes

In the case of Comparative example II-9

-   -   (1) Cleaning: a degreasing agent on the market (registered        trademark Fine Cleaner 4360, made by Nihon Parkerizing Co.,        Ltd.), concentration 20 g/L, temperature 60° C., immersion 10        minutes    -   (2) Water washing: tap water, room temperature, immersion 30        seconds    -   (3) Descaling: hydrochloric acid washing, concentration 17.5%,        room temperature, immersion 10 minutes    -   (4) Water washing: tap water, room temperature, immersion 30        seconds    -   (5) Chemical conversion coating treatment: Zinc phosphate        chemical conversion coating agent on the market (registered        trademark Palbond 181X, made by Nihon Parkerizing Co., Ltd.),        concentration 90 g/L, temperature 80° C., immersion 10 minutes    -   (6) Water washing: tap water, room temperature, immersion 30        seconds    -   (7) Soap treatment: reactive soap lubricant on the market        (registered trademark Palube 235, made by Nihon Parkerizing Co.,        Ltd.), concentration 70 g/L, temperature 80° C., immersion 5        minutes    -   (8) Drying: 80° C., 3 minutes        <Coating Performance Evaluation Test>

A friction coefficient measurement test was made, after the abovecoating forming treatment, according to a Bowden test which is the moststandard friction coefficient measurement test. Since, in the Bowdentest, there is a stable stage of friction coefficient after initialsliding, the friction coefficient at the stable stage was regarded asthe friction coefficient of the lubricating coating. Measurementconditions in the test are as follows.

-   -   Sliding type: reciprocating sliding type    -   Steel sphere: 10 mmφSUJ2 steel sphere    -   Vertical load: 50N    -   Sliding velocity: 10 mm/s    -   Temperature: 60° C.    -   Sliding number of times: 200 times

A forging test was made by a backward piercing test. The backwardpiercing test is such a test that cylindrical test pieces are subjectedto backward piercing working wherein punches are knocked into the testpieces, the heights of the test pieces are varied from 18 mm up to 40 mmby every 2 millimeters, and possible working degree is determined. Whenseizure resistance is insufficient, flaws due to seizure are formed onthe internal surfaces of the test pieces and on the punches. These flawswere checked by visual observation, and the highest height of the testpieces where no flaw is formed was evaluated as showing the lubricity ofa lubricating coating forming agent. The treatment was carried out bothby a method of treating test pieces separately one by one (one piecetreatment) and by a method of treating plural pieces together in arotary barrel (barrel treatment). Evaluation criterion is shown below. Aand B are practical levels.

-   -   A: The workable height of the test piece is 40 mm or more.    -   B: The workable height of the test piece is 36 mm or more, but        less than 40 mm.    -   C: The workable height of the test piece is 32 mm or more, but        less than 36 mm.    -   D: The workable height of the test piece is less than 32 mm.

A tube reducing test was made by carrying out tube reducing workingunder the following conditions and making evaluation by such limitingreduction in area that no seizure was formed. The limiting reduction inarea was assumed to be such reduction in area that three pipes weresubjected to the tube reducing working and all the three pipes could beworked. The treatment was carried out both by a method of treating pipesseparately one by one (one pipe treatment) and by a method of treatingthree pipes in a bundled state (bundle treatment). Evaluation criterionis shown below. A and B are practical levels.

-   -   Die: R die    -   Plug: cylindrical plug    -   Tube reducing velocity: 15 m/min.    -   A: The limiting reduction in area is 50% or more.    -   B: The limiting reduction in area is 43% or more, but less than        50%.    -   C: The limiting reduction in area is 38% or more, but less than        43%.    -   D: The limiting reduction in area is less than 38%.

A wire drawing test was made by carrying out wire drawing working underthe following conditions and making evaluation by such limiting wiredrawing velocity that stable wire drawing was possible. The coatingtreatment was carried out both by a method of extremely loosing thebundled state of the wire rod coil so that the wire rods could notcontact mutually (a method of stretching the coil into a spring state;one rod treatment) and by a method of treating the wire rod coil in abundled state so as to promote contact among the wire rods (bundledtreatment). Evaluation criterion is shown below. A and B are practicallevels.

-   -   Die: R die; 2.75 mm φ    -   Reduction in area: 15.0%    -   Wire drawing velocity: 10 to 100 m/min.    -   A: Limiting wire drawing velocity is 100 m/min or more.    -   B: Limiting wire drawing velocity is 80 m/min or more, but less        than 100 m/min.    -   C: Limiting wire drawing velocity is 60 m/min or more, but less        than 80 m/min.    -   D: Limiting wire drawing velocity is less than 60 m/min.        <Test Results>

Results of the above tests are shown in Table 5. As apparent from Table5, the lubricating coating forming agents of the invention in ExamplesII-1 to II-12 showed good lubricity irrespective of working forms, andalso showed stable lubricity even in the cases of barrel treatment andbundled treatment where uniform treatment was difficult. On the otherhand, the lubricating coating forming agents of Comparative examplesII-1 and II-2 which contain metallic soap-coated particles but no watersoluble inorganic salt nor water soluble organic acid salt showed onlylow lubricity even when they were applied uniformly. Further, inComparative examples II-3 and II-4 where the surfaces of particles ofthe polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid were not coated withmetallic soap, since the friction coefficients of the particles werehigh and the self-repairing effect of the resulting coatings was notexerted, lubricity was not stable in the barrel treatment and thebundled treatment. The lubricating coating forming agents of Comparativeexamples II-5 and II-6 where calcium hydroxide or iron oxalate poor insolubility in water was used in place of a water soluble inorganic saltor a water soluble organic acid salt could not form continuous coating,and the resulting coatings are low in lubricity. In Comparative examplesII-7 and II-8 where particles of a coated polyvalent metal salt ofphosphoric acid are not contained, since the self-repairing effect ofthe resulting coatings was not exerted, lubricity was not stable in thebarrel treatment and the bundled treatment. In the phosphating treatmentplus soap treatment of Comparative example II-9, stable lubricity wasexerted irrespective of treating methods, but loads to the environmentare large in view of treatment of industrial wastes and waste water,control of treating liquids, high energy consumption by high temperaturetreatment, and so on. Thus, the lubricating coating forming agent of theinvention, because of containing particles of a coated polyvalent metalsalt of phosphoric acid and a water soluble inorganic salt, can preventlowering of lubricity owing to ununiform coating which was the mostdifficult problem of coating-type lubricating coating forming agent, andcan realize stable lubricity. TABLE 4 Examples II-1 to II-12 andComparative examples II-1 to II-9 Ingredient*1 Ratio by mass as solidmatter (A) (B) (C) (D) (B)/(A) (C)/(A) (D)/(A) Example (II) 1 zincphosphate sodium silicate*2 montmorillonite — 10.0 0.01 — 2 zincphosphate potassium silicate*3 hectorite paraffin wax 2.0 0.05 1.5 3zinc phosphate potassium tetraborate — polyethylene wax 0.02 — 15.0 4zinc iron phosphate sodium silicate*2 hectorite sodium stearate 0.5 0.250.5 5 zinc iron phosphate sodium citrate — machine oil 0.01 0.005 1.0 6zinc iron phosphate sodium sulfate nontronite — 1.0 0.5 — 7 ironphosphate sodium silicate + — palm oil 16.0 — 2.0 potassium sulfate*4 8iron phosphate sodium tetraborate hectorite paraffin wax 0.5 0.01 0.5 9iron phosphate potassium sulfate + sauconite paraffin wax 3.5 0.05 2.0potassium silicate*5 10 calcium phosphate sodium silicate*2 nontronite —10.0 0.3 — 11 calcium phosphate potassium sulfate + — polyethylene wax15.0 — 0.05 potassium silicate*4 12 calcium phosphate sodium sulfatehectorite palm oil 7.5 0.4 2.0 Comparative 1 zinc phosphate — — calciumstearate — 0.2 2.5 example (II) 2 zinc iron phosphate — nontronitepolyethylene wax — 0.1 12.0 3 zinc phosphate*6 sodium silicate*2nontronite — 0.1 0.05 — 4 calcium phosphate*6 sodium tetraborate — palmoil 5.0 — 5.0 5 iron phosphate calcium hydroxide — paraffin wax 2.0 —2.5 6 zinc iron phosphate iron oxalate — polyethylene wax 1.0 — 0.5 7 —potassium silicate*7 — graphite*8 *9 8 Existing coating-type lubricatingfilm forming agent Proportion of ingredient as solid matter*10 (B) (D)(E) 35% 50% 15% 9 Phosphate salt treatment + soap treatment Adhesionmass (g/m²) phosphate metallic unreacted salt soap soap 6.7 2.3 3.2Notes of Table 4*1 As to ingredients, (A) is a polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid,(B) is a water soluble inorganic salt or water soluble organic acidsalt, (C) is a smectite clay mineral, and (D) is an auxiliary lubricant.*2 SiO₂:Na₂O = 2:1*3 SiO₂:K₂O = 3:1*4 Sodium sulfate:sodium metasilicate = 7:3*5 Sodium sulfate:potassium silicate (SiO₂:K₂O = 3:1) = 7:3*6 Zinc phosphate and calcium phosphate whose surfaces are not coatedwith coating of metallic soap of these polyvalent metals were used.*7 SiO₂:K₂O = 4:1*8 In place of an auxiliary lubricant, graphite was used as a solidlubricant.*9 Comparative example 7 was carried out using potassium silicate(SiO₂:K₂O = 4:1): graphite = 6:4.*10 In Comparative example 8, Ingredient B is sodium tetraborate,Ingredient D is calcium stearate, and Ingredient E is urethane resin(made by Dai-ichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.; Superflex 110).*11 Furthermore, as Ingredient (E), a phenol resin (made by Gunei KagakuCo., Ltd.; Resitop PL-6020) was used in Example 9, and an urethane resin(made by Dai-ichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.; Superflex 110) in Example 12.The# phenol resin and the urethane resin were used in amounts of 7.0% bymass and 8.5% by mass, respectively, based on the total of Ingredients(A) to (E), in terms of solid matter.

TABLE 5 Results of evaluation (Examples II-1 to II-12 and Comparativeexamples II-1 to II-9 Results of evaluation Forging Tube reducing Wiredrawing Friction properties properties properties Load to coefficientone barrel one bandled one bandled environment Example (II) 1 0.07 A A BB B B ◯ 2 0.06 A A A A A A ◯ 3 0.05 A B B B B B ◯ 4 0.06 A A A A A A ◯ 50.05 B B B B B B ◯ 6 0.07 B B B B B B ◯ 7 0.07 A B A B A B ◯ 8 0.06 A AA A A A ◯ 9 0.06 A A A A A A ◯ 10 0.07 B B B B B B ◯ 11 0.06 A B A B A B◯ 12 0.06 A A A A A A ◯ Comparative 1 0.06 C D C D B D ◯ examples (II) 20.05 C C C C B B ◯ 3 0.10 D D D D D D ◯ 4 0.08 B C B D B C ◯ 5 0.08 B DB D B C ◯ 6 0.06 B D B D B C ◯ 7 0.07 C D C D C C ◯ 8 0.07 B D B D B C ◯9 0.06 B B A A A A X

Lubricating coatings obtained by applying the lubricating coatingforming agent of the invention onto the surfaces of various metallicmaterials give the metallic materials excellent cold plastic workingproperties, namely excellent lubricity and excellent seizure resistance.Particularly, the lubricating coating forming agent of the invention cangive metallic materials excellent working performance even in barreltreatment and bundled treatment where it has been difficult forconventional coating-type lubricating coating forming agent to givestable working performance.

1-25. (canceled)
 26. Particles each of which consists of an inorganicpolyvalent metal compound as a nucleus and a coating of a metallic soapof the polyvalent metal coating the surface of the nucleus, theinorganic polyvalent metal compound being water sparingly soluble orwater insoluble and having reactivity with an alkali metal salt,ammonium salt or water soluble ester of a fatty acid.
 27. The particlesaccording to claim 26 which has an average particle size of 300 μm orless and wherein the proportion of all the metallic soap coatings to allthe particles is 1 to 30% by mass.
 28. The particles according to claim26 wherein the polyvalent metal in the inorganic polyvalent metalcompound is at least one selected from Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Ca, Mg, Ba,Al and Sn.
 29. The particles according to claim 26 wherein the inorganicpolyvalent metal compound is an oxide, hydroxide, carbonate or phosphateof the polyvalent metal.
 30. The particles according to claim 26 whereinthe inorganic polyvalent metal compound is zinc oxide or zinc phosphate.31. Particles each of which consists of each of the particles accordingto claim 26 and a coating of an alkali metal salt, ammonium salt orwater soluble ester of a fatty acid coating the surface of the particle.32. The particles according to claim 31 which has an average particlesize of 300 μm or less and wherein the proportion of all the metallicsoap coatings to all the particles is 1 to 30% by mass and theproportion of all the coatings of the alkali metal salt, ammonium saltor water soluble ester of the fatty acid to all the particles is 0.1 to5% by mass.
 33. Powder consisting of the particles according to claim26.
 34. Powder consisting of the particles according to claim
 31. 35. Asuspension wherein the particles according to claim 26 are suspended inwater or an aqueous solution of an alkali metal salt, ammonium salt orwater soluble ester of a fatty acid, the average particle size ofparticles of the inorganic polyvalent metal compound being 20 μm orless, the proportion of all the metallic soap coatings to all theparticles being 1 to 30% by mass.
 36. A process for preparing the powderaccording to claim 34 which comprises mixing an inorganic polyvalentmetal compound with an alkali metal salt, ammonium salt or water solubleester of a fatty acid in water at an elevated temperature, and thendrying the resulting suspension, the inorganic polyvalent metal compoundbeing water sparingly soluble or water insoluble and having reactivitywith the alkali metal salt, ammonium salt or water soluble ester of thefatty acid.
 37. A process for preparing the suspension according toclaim 35 which comprises mixing an inorganic polyvalent metal compoundwith an alkali metal salt, ammonium salt or water soluble ester of afatty acid in water at an elevated temperature, the inorganic polyvalentmetal compound being water sparingly soluble or water insoluble andhaving reactivity with the alkali metal salt, ammonium salt or watersoluble ester of the fatty acid.
 38. Lubricating coating containing theparticles according to claim 26 in an amount of 1% by mass or more. 39.The lubricating coating according to claim 38 whose dry coatingthickness is 0.5 to 50 μm.
 40. Lubricating coating containing theparticles according to claim 31 in an amount of 1% by mass or more. 41.The lubricating coating according to claim 40 whose dry coatingthickness is 0.5 to 50 μm.
 42. A lubricating coating forming agentwherein particles each of which consists of a water sparingly soluble orwater insoluble polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid (hereinaftermerely referred to as polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid) as anucleus and a coating of a metallic soap of the polyvalent metal coatingthe surface of the nucleus (the particles being hereinafter referred toas particles of coated polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid) aresuspended in an aqueous solution of a water soluble inorganic saltand/or a water soluble organic acid salt; each of the water solubleinorganic salt and organic acid salt having a property to form a firmcoating when it is uniformly dissolved in water and the resultingsolution is applied onto a metallic material and dried.
 43. Thelubricating coating forming agent according to claim 42 wherein thepolyvalent metal of the polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid is atleast one selected from Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Ca, Al and Sn.
 44. Thelubricating coating forming agent according to claim 42 wherein thepolyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid is at least one selected fromzinc phosphate, zinc iron phosphate, iron phosphate, calcium phosphateand calcium hydrogenphosphate.
 45. The lubricating coating forming agentaccording to claim 42 wherein the average particle size of the particlesof coated polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid is 30 μm or less, andthe average particle size of the polyvalent metal salt of phosphoricacid is 20 μm or less.
 46. The lubricating coating forming agentaccording to claim 42 wherein the proportion of all the metallic soapcoatings to all the particles of coated polyvalent metal salt ofphosphoric acid is 1 to 30% by mass.
 47. The lubricating coating formingagent according to claim 42 wherein the water soluble inorganic salt isat least one selected from an alkali metal salt of sulfuric acid, analkali metal salt of silicic acid and an alkali metal salt of boricacid.
 48. The lubricating coating forming agent according to claim 42wherein the water soluble organic acid salt is at least one selectedfrom an alkali metal salt of malic acid, an alkali metal salt ofsuccinic acid, an alkali metal salt of citric acid and an alkali metalsalt of tartaric acid.
 49. The lubricating coating forming agentaccording to claim 42 wherein the proportion by mass of the total of thewater soluble inorganic salt and the water soluble organic acid salt (B)to the particles of coated polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid (A),namely (B)/(A), in terms of solid matter, is within the range of 0.01 to20.0.
 50. The lubricating coating forming agent according to claim 42which contains a smectite clay mineral in such an amount that theproportion by mass of the smectite clay mineral (C) to the particles ofcoated polyvalent metal salt of phosphoric acid (A), namely (C)/(A), interms of solid matter, is within the range of 0.005 to 0.5.
 51. Thelubricating coating forming agent according to claim 42 which contains,as an auxiliary lubricating ingredient, at least one selected from anoil, a soap, a metallic soap, a wax and polytetrafluoroethylene in suchan amount that the proportion by mass of the auxiliary lubricatingingredient (D) to the particles of coated polyvalent metal salt ofphosphoric acid (A), namely (D)/(A), in terms of solid matter, is withinthe range of 0.03 to 18.0. 52.The lubricating coating forming agentaccording to claim 42 which contains a water soluble or waterdispersible organic macromolecular compound having a molecular weight of1,000 to 1,000,000 in such an amount that its content in the resultingcoating gets to be within 0.5 to 25% by mass based on the whole drycoating.
 53. Lubricating coating formed using the lubricating coatingforming agent according to claim 42.